Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-04-07
RUFFIN DEAD.
A DYING siArEnYEr AEp THE xvf-
DEEcE or wlTHHssHs.
euadsn Death ola Petersburg Lsdy-A Dad
Renaissance Royal Arcsnum
Delegates.
lcorr..ponaence Of ths Rlcnmond plspa.eh.l

fcone-pondence Of the Richmond Dispsseh.l
PErxRsBuaa, Va, April 6. 1887.
John H. Ruffin (coloredD, who was
shot on Monday morning by Frank
Mercer Langston, died ut an early
hour this morning from the effects OF
his wounds. An inquest was held this
afternoon. Five witnesses were ex-
smipej, whose testimony went toprove
in brief that while Ruflin was standing
in front of Thomas SCOTS house on
Halifax street he was hailed and APP
preached by Langston, who asked him
il be had taken his pipe from the room I;
that Ruffin declared that he knew no.
thing Of the pipe; that thereupon
Laneston called Ruffin q ID liar
and Immediately shot-the distance be-
tween the parties at the time being but
a few feet; that after he was
shot Ruffin still declared that he
knew nothing OF the pipe. The
posf-mortem examination failed to
discover the whereabouts Of the ball,
but showed that the intestines had been
perforated in three places, and that
acute and auppuratiye peritonitis had
set in, which caused death. A large
crowd assembled around Ruffin's house
during the inquest. The jury rem
dered verdict of death from the effects
of the pistol-shot wound inflicted by
Langston, who will therefore be tried
for murder. Ruffin's dying statement,
made under oath, was read to the jury.
It corroborates the evidence given in
by the witnesses.
Mrs. Sarah J. Ezell, most estimable
Christian lady, aged about forty-six
years, residing on Halifax street, died
very suddenly this morning. She slept
unusually well last night, ate her break
fast with relish this morning, read the
newspapers, and then remarked that
she felt better than she had for some
time. Very soon afterwards she fell
back upon her bed, and expired almost
Immediately. Her health he's been
delicate for some time, but not to such
an extent as to confne her to bed. A
sad incident in connection with this
lady is the fact that very soon after the
close of the war her father and hus-
band, while trying to open a shell, were
both desperately wounded by the ex-
plosion OF the shell, and both died from
the effects of their injuries.
Mics Anne Jefferson, sister of Rev.
John A. Jefferson, of Richmond, died
this morning about 6 o'clock. De-
ceased was about seventy-four years OF
age, was the Oldest member of Wash
ington Methodist Episcopal church,
and was noted for her good works in
the church and among the poor.
The following representatives from
Petersburg will attend the Grand Coun-
ell of the Royal Arcanum of Virginia,
which meets next week in Richmond !:
From Southside Council, Ct. b. Gill I;
from Sycamore Council, William f.
Drummond; William Turnbull, OF the
Finance Committee James b. Blanks,
grand orator, and William ID. NORRIS,
grand secretary. As the Grand Lodge
Of Odd-Fellows meets in Petersburg
about the same time, it is feared that
some of the Royal Arcanum members
will be delayed i'll going to Richmond,
the representatives being members OF
the Grand Lodge also.
ROBIN ADAIR.